@BloomsburyIndia
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:36
#TalkTo Tanushree Podder Author Of Thorns In The Crown
You. Hello bookworms. This is Siddhi and welcome to my Spellcast where we talk about books in focus. Today we have with us master storyteller Tanushi, podar's latest offering thorns in the crown. Thorns in the Crown is Podar's 18th book. A saga of three individuals, a nationalist, an opportunist and a recluse and their quest for identity against the backdrop of India struck for independence. Quite an intriguing storyline there. So let's talk to author Tanushri tomorrow. That is 19th October at 06:00 p.m
Yeah, I would be interested to talk to the author and maybe get a copy wherever it is there in Amazon. And let me know the time and the exact time to connect. Thanks Adon. God bless. Take care
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:44
To begin with, the book has a wonderful premise crafting a story against the backdrop of India's freedom struggle. How did this story happen to you and how long did it take for you to complete it?
It goes to the Amritsar and talks about the happenings there. Then it goes to Calcutta, where the major part of the story is set, because the British had their headquarters there. And since it spans a huge span of about 50 to 60 years, right from the 20s onwards, it was a very, you know, long story to deal with. But it was the interesting premise that inspired me to write the story
And there was a lot of research required to be done on the British rule, the places, the people during that time, and the events that were happening across the world. So it took me a long time, but at the back of my mind, the story always kept playing up. And then one day I decided did, enough is enough. It needs to be done
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:28
Historical places usually have this energy and only an empath can feel and write about it. So no wonder you got the idea when you visited. Andamans so when we talk about historical fiction, an author ought to invest a lot of time researching to get the facts right. How much research has gone into the book also? Did you research first and then write? Or was it a simultaneous process?
And I think this has taken me the maximum number of years to research, because it's like a saga. It's not a book. It's set for so many years. If you remember, those were the most turbulent times our country went through. So naturally there were lots of events, lots of things happening. And to bring all that out in just a few hundred pages is almost next to impossible. So you have to sift through the research material and then use what you need
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:29
Hello. I'm highly intrigued by the way you've narrated the content of the book and the amount of research that has gone into it. So, Ma'am, you have 18 books in your name. This has been a long journey for you, but there must be some sort of challenges that you may have come across. I would like to know what has kept you going. And what kind of challenges is an aspiring author like to encounter when embarking on a writing journey?
So how can you write unless you have read a lot? I have spent my lifetime reading today. I am very old and I have been reading since the time I was a child. It was a passion. I used to read all the time. And unless you read, you cannot write. And that is what I believe. So I tell people first, go read at least 100 books before you even think of writing
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:42
I totally agree with you on this. Every book comes with a set of challenges, surprises, and every book is a labor of love. You've written in so many different genres that I had to ask you this question. I guess I have read Before You Breathe, which was a thriller, and Thorns in the Crown is a historical fiction. So this question was pertinent. Coming to my next question, let's talk about the character of the book
And in fact, the British did favor them for many jobs, like in the post offices, the railways. These people would be preferred as employees. And in my book also, Peter is an opportunist. He takes advantage of whatever is given to him, whatever is available. So when it suits him, he takes whatever particular thing is beneficial to him. But then that is human nature. We always see what benefits us
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:19
That's quite interesting. And certainly there's quite a vision there. So as an author, as you mentioned before, of course, that every book is a labor of love. But if you had to tell us one unique feature or one unique aspect of thorns in the crown, what would it be?
You the unique feature. There's no single unique feature. There's so many of them. But I love the fact that it is a book which has very passionate feelings about patriotism, about romance, and about a whole lot of things in between. So it is not just a historical book. It is a mirror to the reflection of premise sorry, the perspectives of these three characters
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:30
Um, your books are not just about, you know, a particular genre or sticking to that genre. There are so many nitty gritty, small, small things. Like, I was just going through my review of Before You Breathe, and I came across this beautiful quote about libraries which you'd pen. So that's something which has stayed with me after all these years. And therefore my next question what can a reader take away from the book? Thorns in the crown
Thank you, siddhi, I'm so happy that you liked before. You breathe well. Every book has a different USP. And what I feel about Thorns in the Crown is that it's a book of passion, like I mentioned before. And it's a book of willpower. When you have the passion and you have a willpower to do something, you ultimately succeed. That's one. And the second thing that I would like readers to take away from this book is that personalities change
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:10
That is quite intriguing. Ma'am, we have come to the last question of the session and I would like to know how has the response been so far?
You, to be honest, it's a little too early to know about the response. People are liking the book. I have been getting very good reviews, but I will not be able to say anything with certainty because it takes a while for a book to go and get into the groove. And people generally talk about a book and then it's through the word of mouth that a book does well, because I am no great marketer
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:14
Most definitely. And the book certainly sounds like a book right up my alley. And I can't wait to get hold of my copy. Thank you so much, ma'am, for doing this interaction with me. And my best wishes for the book
Thank you, Siddhi. It was a pleasure talking to you, as usual. And I hope you like the book. Do read it and please spread the word around. Thank you once again and thanks to everyone who's tuned in